AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17108, 14 November 1929, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE To-night's triple-feature programme at the Majestic 'theatre should command liberal patronage from picture goers. “The Charlatan, - ’ a Universal production from the celebrated play of that name by Ernest Rascal and Leonard Rmskins, is tho outstanding feature. The story is an exposure oil the tricks of charlatans, especially those who have a society clientele, and who Stage their .seances at fashionable gatherings. in tins case the situation is complicated by a mysterious murder, and a tangle ot affairs that affects three married couples and a pair of young lovers. \\ ith such stage veterans as Holmes Herbert and Kocklifle Fellowes the stirring tale i told with dramatic effect. Margaret Livingston and Fred AlacKaye play the leading roles well, and Holmes Herbert is called, upon to give three. distinct characterisations, ami shows his versatility by portraying in turn a Hindu crystal-gazer, an American circus performer, and a district attorney. flic film deals scathingly with the foibles ot . American society women who ignorantly dabble in the intricacies of mysticism at. soirees and seances, subjecting themselves, their fortunes, and their til fairs to the phantasies of a. crystal hall and the scheming ot fakirs. Not until the end does the audience withdraw from the spelt of the Orient which stu - round this drama. “Thou Shalt Not Steal,’’ the second feature, which stars the British comedienne, Lilian Harvey, is a story of unusual plot. Uis the talc of a, girl who lias wasted her iile in the pitfalls of crime, and is reformed In one who takes an interest in her. Aims Harvey is exceedingly well known on the Continent and in the British Isles ioi her comedies. She was originally trained for a dancer under Mary Zimmerman, of the Berlin Opera, and also in Berlin. “Tarz.au tho Mighty” is now nearing the end, land the semi-final chapter “Facing Death’’ is also showing to-night, in addition to two gazettes. REGENT Al Jolson, who is now appearing at tho Regent Theatre in “iho Singing Fool,” the talkie which _ has drawn capacity houses each evening, is one Oi the greatest figures in American stage life to-day. His acts in the theatre have always been marked by a happy spontaneity, an air of bonhommio, a delicious wit that delights the audience; his singing, a plaintive, wailing singing that makes' his jazz songs more pleasing, lias endeared him to the great American public. And in “The Singing Fool he may endear himself to tho New Zealand public. Jolson has a story that is at once a merry comedy, and a very human, every-day tragedy. the stoiy of “The Singing Fool” is the story of Sonny Boy. That song, which has gone round the world long before the picture of which it is iho theme song, lias appeared, lias familiarised Davey Lee and Jolson, as the Singing Fool, to everybody. Everybody wants to know what is tiie story‘of the father singing goodbye to his son; and everybody will now know. It is a drama of Broadway, a drama of mother, father, son and another girl, acted against the dancing, singing background of the cabarets; a production tluit has a tender, emotional story, the singing of the star, the ballets executed hv trained danseuses, the magnificent music, the whole panorama, with Jolson in the foreground, with his songs, and talking, and merry quips, all the while a very ordinary drama being enacted in his unhappy home. Jolson is supported Uv Davey Lee, youngster who “climbs upon my knee,” Betty Bronson, Josephine Dunn, Edward Uartindel and Arthur Houseman. The supporting shorts consist of some, of thei best that, have vet been presented at the Regent Theatre. PIANOFORTE RECITAL

Parents who are interested in the musical education of their children may give them the opportunity of hearing Miss Oriole Fa ram’s pianoforte recital at the City Hall to-night. This gifted pianist, who has just turned 15, may ho the means of making a great impression on the minds of the young people of Gisborne as regards the higher form of music, and in showing them what so young a child can den,.